Eric Dawson Comes into Own Despite Toros’ Loss

Austin Toros Forward Eric Dawson has been looking for space on the floor. Averaging ten points a game despite over twenty-three minutes of gametime Dawson has had the faith of coach Quin Snyder. Last night Dawson provided one of the few bright spots in the Toros 102-94 loss to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds after posting 39 points and hitting an incredible 17 of 21 from the floor.

The Toros crumbled in the fourth quarter, turning a one point lead going into the final frame into an eight point deficit by the end of it. The Toros were 2 of 16 from 3-point territory and 12 of 20 from the three point line. Squeaky Johnson led the team with 11 assists but couldn’t find the basket - 1 of 7 from the paint and 0 for 3 in three point territory.

Recent injuries to the San Antonio Spurs’ roster has prompted the recent callups of Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Malik Hairston from the Toros. Forward / Center Ian Mahinmini has been with the Spurs since early in the Toros’ season. Hopefully there is still a core to the Toros that will be able to keep the team at the top of the Western Conference heading into the final two months of the season.

Austin Toros Extend First Place Lead in Southwest Division

The Austin Toros continue to roll, extending their winning streak to four games after winning the last three games in the month of February. The Toros took two at home from the Albuquerque Thunderbirds 106-101 and 117-111, then won at the Tulsa 66ers 89-83 last night. Their Southwest division lead continues to grow on the idle Colorado 14ers who they meet for the last time in the regular season Wednesday at Colorado. The Toros won seven of their nine games in February and haven’t lost two games in a row since early January.

March will be a real test for the Toros as they play all but one game on the road, Tuesday March 10 against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

The Austin Toros host a Basketball Skills Competition at the 2009 Texas Testosterone Festival. More details as they are available.

Pops Goes Off on 14ers, Toros Take First

The Austin Toros defeated the Colorado 14ers yesterday 131-124 in Overtime to return to first place in the Southwest Division. Pops Mensah-Bonsu scored 39 points and Marcus Williams had 30 as the Toros recovered from a twelve point deficit at the half to tie the game in regulation and then outscore the visiting 14ers 18 to 11 in Overtime.

Mensah-Bonsu was 13 of 16 from the free throw line and the Toros got an amazing 42 chances as a result of penalties. The 14ers, on the other hand, continue to have success in 3 point territory against the Toros, making 15 of 31 attempts. The Toros were 2 of 11 from outside the paint.

The Toros next play the Albuquerque Thunderbirds three times in their next five games. Albuquerque has been on a tear lately, winning their last five. The Toros have won all four of their previous meetings. The Toros play Colorado for the last time in the regular season Wednesday, March 4. The Toros have won four of their six meetings.

Toros Split Last Two Games of Road Trip

The Austin Toros have been away from home for nearly a month but have continued to tear up the D-League going 6-2 after beating Los Angeles with a buzzer beater on Tuesday and then losing to Bakersfield last night.

Pops Mensah-Bonsu was the hero when he buried a twenty one foot jumpshot with less than a second to go against the Los Angeles D-Fenders. The Toros won 110-108.

Thursday night was plagued by poor shooting from the floor for the Toros and a tenacious team effort from the surging Bakersfield Jam. The Jam won last night 102-97.

The Toros are finally home for a three game homestand beginning Sunday against the persistent Colorado 14ers, currently leading the Toros by win percentage in the Southwest Division. These two teams continue to match each other win for win and the heads-up battles take on even more import now that we are in the second half of the season. The Toros host the Albuquerque Thunderbirds on Tuesday and Thursday.

Toros Take T-Birds in OT

The Austin Toros fended off the Albuquerque Thunderbirds in the fourth quarter to take the game into deep water where a surging Marcus Williams scored seven in Overtime to defeat the dastardly Thunderbirds 125-121.

The Toros faultered in the third quarter in order to give the Thunderbirds hope in the fourth but outclassed them man-for-man throughout.

The Thunderbirds fall below .500 on the season while the Toros continue to dominate the Southwestern Division. The Toros next take on the bottom-feeding Tulsa 66ers for back-to-back games in Tulsa Friday and Saturday night. games the Toros should win.

The Austin Toros host a Basketball Skills Competition at the 2009 Texas Testosterone Festival. More details as they are available.

Toros Sweep Thunderbirds to take First

The Austin Toros won their fifth straight after defeating the Albuquerque Thunderbirds 94 to 91 last night in Albuquerque. Charles Gaines was on the ball, registering 17 rebounds with 15 points and Marcus Williams scored 23.

Toros are in a groove.

Also, Anthony Tolliver was called up to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday.

It Took Overtime, But Toros Roll

The Austin Toros took the Albuquerque Thunderbirds into overtime only to tease them before crushing them, 127-121. Don’t believe the headline on nba.com, it was the Toros who have now taken first place in the Southwest Division with a record of 6-3 taking the last two from Albuquerque with one more game with them tonight.

The two teams are definitely growing familiar with numerous personal fouls and heated banter. Look for tonight’s game to contain more than a few fireworks.

Speaking of fireworks, Malik Hairston scored 33 points including a late three pointer to send the game into overtime.

Blake Ahearn was released by the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

Toros Rally On… Brown Gets Third Double-Double

The Austin Toros have won three in a row and found their stride while thoroughly defeating the Albuquerque Thunderbirds 124-102. Guard Andre Brown had 25 points and 13 rebounds for his third double-double in the last three games. Blake Ahearn added 17 points as the Toros outscored the Thunderbirds each quarter and were unrelenting in their dominance.

The Toros now get to continue the rally with a trip to Albuquerque for their next game Thursday.